Ex-Reading Blue Coat School teacher John Imeson jailed over abuse

An ex-private school teacher has been jailed for 16 years for sexually abusing pupils.

John Imeson, 73, abused two boys while working at Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, Berkshire, in the 1980s.

He was found guilty by a jury of 13 sexual offences during a seven day trial at Reading Crown Court.

Sentencing him, Judge Kirsty Real said the ordeal inflicted on them by the teacher had been a "horrific experience" for his victims.

Imeson, of Fitzroy Crescent, Woodley, was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault, four counts of buggery, indecency with a child, and one count of assault with a intent to commit buggery.

Prosecutor Maryan Syed said the abuse had been "a very serious abuse of trust" and "was persistent in nature and carried out over a sustained period".

Ms Syed, reading out the first victim's impact statement, said the abuse "affected his attitude towards authority" and he still feels angry as it happened "right under the school's nose and they did nothing to stop it".

The court heard the second victim had suffered with severe depression for 30 years and also felt "let down" by the school.

Clare Evans, defending, said Imeson, who had taught at the school for 35 years and been active in running the school's Combined Cadet Force, maintained his innocence.

Passing his sentence, Judge Real said the "horrific" offences had been "perpetrated within your role as a respected teacher".

Reading Blue Coat School said it "applauded the immense courage of his victims in speaking out" and "deeply regretted" that the abuse happened while they were pupils at the school.

It said in a statement: "There can never be any room for complacency, but we believe the safeguarding measures we have in place today are the most effective in the school's history.

"The continued safety, well-being and happiness of our pupils remains our first priority."

Reading Blue Coat School was founded in 1646 and charges £6,013 a term.

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